#BeTheBetterGuy - The Right Driving Position

This is the first of a three part series for #bethebetterguy, a campaign that urges all road users and pedestrians to follow traffic rules and better driving practices in an attempt to make our roads safer. In this article, we tell you a few simple steps to get the perfect driving position.

Driving position is often overlooked and is based on what you see others doing and being overly relaxed behind the steering wheel. While comfort should be prioritised especially for spending long hours behind the steering wheel, it is also important to adjust the driving position to maintain effective control of the steering as well as ample distance from it for the airbags to deploy without injuring you. Here’s a four step approach to help you find the optimum driving position.

The first step is to adjust your distance from the pedals. Use the seat squab adjuster located under the seat base to move forward or rearward till there is a slight bend in your knees while fully pressing down on the brake pedal. This will ensure optimum braking pressure in the event of an emergency braking situation while keeping your legs relaxed and not stretched out.

Then adjust the seat back to determine reach from the steering wheel. Adjust the seat back till your elbows are slightly bent and with both hands on the wheel, turn the steering lock to lock to see that there’s no stretch in the arms. A simple guide is to have the seat back positioned far enough to hang your wrist over the top of the steering wheel.

Most cars now offer reach and rake adjustment of the steering wheel to optimise the driving position so make sure that the seat squab is constant while you adjust the seat back and steering column to meet the above criteria. The seat column can be adjusted with a lever located under the steering column. Some cars may have an electronic adjuster for even precise positioning. Remember to have adequate distance from the steering wheel to have enough distance for the airbag to deploy without causing injury to you.

The next step is to ensure great all around visibility. If your car has a seat height adjuster, increase it till you have a fist’s space between your head and the roof liner. Take a look around the window areas and ensure that most of the surroundings are visible. Then adjust the ORVMs keeping one third of the car in the inside frame as baseline while the rest should give you a view of both the left and right sides. Then adjust the car to road ratio according to your preference. It's always a good idea to have a bit of the side of the car visible for tight traffic and parking scenarios. Now adjust the inside rear view mirror to have maximum visibility from the rear window.

Once in position it’s time to buckle up and if you’re under the impression that seat belts can be uncomfortable then there are adjustments that can be made to ease the pressure exerted by the belts. For the front occupants, use the seat belt height adjuster located on the inside B-pillar of the car, to a height where it clears the collarbone. The rear passengers can adjust the buckles to fit larger individuals and always ensure that the buckle clicks when inserted into the lock. Irrespective of the seat you're sitting in, always buckle up.